I am sure there's a lot more interest in what DTV converter boxes will pick up the .99 channels than TVs. I'd be willing to bet most blind folks don't buy extravagant TVs, if at all.

I am sure there's a lot more interest in what DTV converter boxes will pick up the .99 channels than TVs. I'd be willing to bet most blind folks don't buy extravagant TVs, if at all.

You're probably right. My 4-year-old 34", 200-pound tube TV is all sorts of "extravagant". I should tell my friend, whose wife is legally blind, that he should never have bought her that 55-inch LED TV, since there's no possible use that she could ever get from it.

Some people use their "extravagant" TVs hooked up to magnifying readers, since a large TV makes a much larger magnification on a reader.

Perhaps if Oldsyd had said, "we only care about blind people on this, so if you don't have an STB, keep your trap shut," I would never have bothered to look. But, he didn't say why he wanted to know, so I figured that more data was better than less. And now I know about these extra channels, in case my friend's wife would like to tune in and listen to the news in between listening to audio books.

But, then again, what do I know?

CR_Client, you're being oversensitive. Seriously. I would have "off the bat" assumed someone that could not see would not bother getting a new TV either. But, good info about screen magnification and of course guests and family.

That said.. Mythtv version 0.23 as well as 0.24 get 12.99 and 35.99, as long as I check the box to pick up all services when I channel scan (otherwise it's strictly regular TV channels.) It seems like EVERY time I've tuned to it they were reading obituaries!
-----------
Regarding 20, yes, I get no guide info either most of the time. Other times it shows as "KWKB...." (the "." are actually "boxes", I think they are null characters. If I tune to KWKB at this point, it screws up MythTV and I have to do some mucking about to fix it. I have guide info turned off for that channel now for just that reason.) The weird thing is, KWKB had guide info for a little while months ago, then it went back away.

-----------
Anyone have KYOU "shooting blanks" some recently? I have had failed recordings off 15 the last several days (but I think a few that DID work), this morning I had no program guide info for 15, and when I tuned in 15 I got a clean signal, but black picture and no sound (and after 5 or 10 seconds, ""Error opening jump program file"). I think this means there is no data whatsoever coming through on the channel.
--------
So, my OTA setup. I have a Grey-Hovermann antenna (somewhat older design, not the newest one that is better for VHF-Hi...). This antenna is indoors. It is hooked up to a 20dB amp, then via short length of cable to a high quality USB TV tuner (excellent multipath handling, and sucks in the weak signals very well..) This keeps the coax run short, instead of 50 feet of coax I have short coax and ~50 feet of USB cables.

So, initially i got 2, 12, 15, 20, 26 (usually), 28, and 48 (So, CBS, PBS, Fox, WB + AntennaTV -- but no program guide so I can't usefully record them -- , WB again + ThisTV, Fox again, and Pax. Well, *initially* I got 7 and 9 too, before they went back to VHF. Grrrr.

I then found an aim where it was not particularly aimed towards Cedar Rapids, it must be picking up reflections off metal siding and such; I was getting 2, 7, 9, 12, 15, 20, 26, 28. But 7 (NBC, ThisTV, and MeTV) and 9 (ABC and 9.2) recently became too unreliable, I have read stations tend to be a few db higher in winter, and I guess I needed those couple db. Plus I enjoyed several shows on 8.3 when they briefly came in.

So I've recently aimed towards the quad cities, and now get 6, 8, 12, 15, 20, 26. So, I'm getting NBC, ABC + AntennaTV + MyNetworkTV 16 (WQBD-LP), PBS, Fox, WB + AntennaTV (no program guide), WB again + ThisTV. Only thing really missing is CBS. But I can watch the 1 or 2 shows on there on Hulu. I get far more entertaining shows from WQBD-LP than off CBS to be honest.

You're probably right. My 4-year-old 34", 200-pound tube TV is all sorts of "extravagant". I should tell my friend, whose wife is legally blind, that he should never have bought her that 55-inch LED TV, since there's no possible use that she could ever get from it.

I really didn't mean to ruffle any feathers by this. I am EXTREMELY nearsighted myself and I even posted in the Des Moines thread that I picked up the IRIS channels on my 55" Sony LED. I have that 55" Sony LED in my bedroom because it's the only TV I can really see from bed, and even then, I couldn't read the scores for the NBA game on ABC with my glasses on.

I can honestly claim ignorance and didn't know that there was such a thing as a TV magnifier or that it wasn't unheard of for those who are blind to have televisions. I guess I assumed and made an ass out of myself. I do truly apologize.

Thanks everyone for the XX.99 updates. I've wanted to know because out of the CECB set top boxes I have, and my lone DTV, none of them will tune in the IRIS audio channel. And yes, I am more interested in set top boxes since that would mean you could have one hooked up to a preamp through the audio RCA jacks and use it like a radio, without having to power a display just to hear the content.

I don't think anyone here was knocking people who are visually impaired.

On another note, I noticed Friday night after IPTV had signed off for the night, I ran a rescan and my TiVo locked in on WHO-DT and KDM-TV out of Des Moines. Thinking it was a low signal, I double checked it, and the signal was running at around 60% and looked great! Is that common when the IPTV network is shut down, or was this just due to some freak DX conditions? I'm in Cedar Rapids, not on a hill, with a fixed attic antenna pointed towards the Walker towers.

It's DX related. What's really interesting about IPTV is that from what I understand, the translators do not shut down at night, only the full-powers. A friend in Minnesota informed me that he's received WVTV on channel 38. The station was being picked up off-air by the translator (K38LE-D) and being repeated and he picked it up.

A similar situation happened for him with Wisconsin PBS, with W24CL-D picking up KFXA instead of WHWC due to atmospheric conditions.

Someone else I know managed to receive KRCG on channel 24 via K24IM-D, another IPTV translator.

- Trip

It's DX related. What's really interesting about IPTV is that from what I understand, the translators do not shut down at night, only the full-powers. A friend in Minnesota informed me that he's received WVTV on channel 38. The station was being picked up off-air by the translator (K38LE-D) and being repeated and he picked it up.

A similar situation happened for him with Wisconsin PBS, with W24CL-D picking up KFXA instead of WHWC due to atmospheric conditions.

Someone else I know managed to receive KRCG on channel 24 via K24IM-D, another IPTV translator.

- Trip

As far as I know, the translators are shut down via remote control as part of the sign off procedures. It's possible they could briefly rebroadcast another signal during the time between when the main transmitters are turned off and the translators get shut down. It takes the operators some time to get all the various transmitters turned off at night.

I'll send the chief engineer a message and let them know that this has been reported. Thanks for the report.

Those reports were all months ago. I only mention them now because it seemed somewhat relevant and interesting. :)

- Trip

Those reports were all months ago. I only mention them now because it seemed somewhat relevant and interesting. :)

- Trip

It's that time of year, Trip! The word I received is that it's a known issue that's being worked on. One would think that a digital translator could be made to look at the PSIP of the original signal to decide whether or not to rebroadcast it, but they don't have that capability.

OK, here we go again. Can anyone answer this for me? Have been getting excellent signal stregths for all local stations here in the CR area. Recently, over time my channel 7, 9 and 12 have gone bye, bye with Zero signal streght on all TV's. I am running a UHF/VHF antenna and have had little problem for years now. All of the sudden nothing. Channel 2 and others are full strength on all TV's. Funny how it is only those three stations with no reception. So I have gone outside where my cables combine and enter the house and did some jiggling and bam, all stations with have great strength like in years past. Now it comes and goes with the same three stations cutting out. I have replaced ends on the cables where it enters the house and now get pretty much nothing. It'll be great reception for 30 seconds or so and then nothing no 7 or 9 or there sub chnnels.:confused:

Any ideas guys?

Well, so far so good, I think I might have found two bad ends up in the attic from the amp to the antenna. Hope that works

7, 9, and 12 are the local VHF stations. The rest are on UHF. If the bad ends don't turn out to be the problem, you might check on the VHF section of your antenna.

- Trip

Not sure what can go bad on the antenna since it's in the attic, but if that doesn't work I guess I'll be running new cable. The two bad ends were my fault, when I looked at them tonight I couldn't believe I put them on partially. Hope that is a mistake that ,akes the difference.

Anyone else seeing 25-2 showing up on their box? I assume this is a subchannel from KWKB 20 RF:25. One of my TVs gets it, the other two refuse to tune KWKB 20.1 for some reason and sit on 25 for about 5 minutes while scanning before moving on and not adding it to the channel guide.

I thought sending a signal out without PSIP data was illegal...

Not near an OTA box right now, but 20-2 was on the air several weeks ago. I forget the official name, but they show some older programs like Patridge family, etc....

Not near an OTA box right now, but 20-2 was on the air several weeks ago. I forget the official name, but they show some older programs like Patridge family, etc....

That would be Antenna TV. And yes, there might be a PSIP issue. Some receivers are far more tolerant of missing PSIP data than others.

It's been a while since I've followed this closely, but while my back was turned, KCRG put in for a power boost from just over 30kW to 48kW, according to the FCC web site. The application was granted Friday, so it's probably just a matter of time before it happens.

Here's a link to the application:
http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/prefill_and_display.pl?Application_id=1436022&Service=DT&Form_id=301&Facility_id=9719

The station claimed it needed the boost to match KWWL's coverage area, but hopefully it helps folks closer in as well. (It's currently my second best VHF "get," second only to KIIN which has a closer tower and hits my rabbit ears on the backside.)

I suppose you could also call it "Northeast Iowa DMA".

Same old KGAN. Vikings preseason game was in HD with No sound. Now we have sound but no hd.

Speaking of the NFL, The Gazette is now saying that Mediacom will carry the NFL Network and Red Zone (in HD of course) locally. The article doesn't have a date, just "by the start of the 2011 regular season."

It appears the NFL caved a little, since Mediacom is putting the channel on "digital plus," not the standard tier, and Red Zone is being offered "a la carte."

http://thegazette.com/2011/08/19/mediacom-to-air-nfl-network-nfl-redzone/

Looks like KCRG is testing or has already launched a new sub-channel, 9.3, "Wx Now", an all-weather sub-channel.

Just happened across it tonight while surfing on the antenna. Not even sure how it showed up on my TV since I didn't re-scan or anything.

With all of the local programming they've been putting on 9.2, it's nice to see a dedicated local weather channel, too.

I wonder if MediaCon is going to add it to the packages?

Heads up on Blue Sky Dish Network installers. Despite explicit instructions on how to hide the cable, these guys ruined $400.00 worth of vinyl siding by screwing the cable clamps right into the side of my house. This is after I literally showed the installer where I wanted it hidden and to use Vinyl Siding Cable Clips anywhere that the cable had to be exposed. The installer acknowledged the instructions and then proceeded to do the exact thing I told him NOT to do.

Moral of the story...always directly supervise these installers when they are working on YOUR house. They have no respect and apparently no attention to detail.

FWIW: They refused to replace the vinyl siding they ruined. Had to do it myself. Still dealing with Dish Network to address this damage and I'm not getting anywhere with them.

WX Now will never be available on DirecTV, even with their add-on ATSC tuner. I believe this to be a violation of the All-Channel Receiver Act

Subject
---------------------------------------------------------------
RE: Over The Air channels on HR24/AM21


Discussion Thread
---------------------------------------------------------------
Response Via Email(DIRECTV) - 09/08/2011 01:09 PM
Dear Mr. [REDACTED],

Thank you for your feedback regarding the AM21 Off-Air Tuner features. We received a response from our Engineering Department and confirmed KCRG 9.3 will not be available through the AM21 Off-Air Tuner. DIRECTV is no longer adding new ATSC sub-channels to the off-air guide because of guide capacity constraints.

Still dealing with Dish Network to address this damage and I'm not getting anywhere with them.

Good luck. My advice is to try to get a hold of executive customer service in the CEO's office. I'm not going to post their email addy, but you can probably figure out how to email CEO AT DISHNETWORK.COM :D

WQAD (ABC) in the Quad Cities went HD. http://www.tvpredictions.com/localhd091211.htm

It's been a while since I've followed this closely, but while my back was turned, KCRG put in for a power boost from just over 30kW to 48kW, according to the FCC web site. The application was granted Friday, so it's probably just a matter of time before it happens.

Here's a link to the application:
http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/prefill_and_display.pl?Application_id=1436022&Service=DT&Form_id=301&Facility_id=9719

The station claimed it needed the boost to match KWWL's coverage area, but hopefully it helps folks closer in as well. (It's currently my second best VHF "get," second only to KIIN which has a closer tower and hits my rabbit ears on the backside.)

So, any word on if/when this actually happens? Everything was recording fine in May, but now with start of the new fall season, on Monday evening I had very frequent dropouts on KCRG to the point it was unwatchable. On Tuesday I messed around with my rabbit ears which of course also then messes with my KWWL reception. I got it so that I only had an occasional breakup on last night's ABC shows, but still I wasn't having this problem in the spring. (Yes, I didn't mention any problems for the UHF stations which have always and continue to come in perfectly, always, all the time, 100% goodness. But still, VHF is just the BEST!)

So, any word on if/when this actually happens? Everything was recording fine in May, but now with start of the new fall season, on Monday evening I had very frequent dropouts on KCRG to the point it was unwatchable.

I think they went right about the time you posted your question. You may be battling some multipath now. I asked Kirk when this boost would happen and he told me about in about a week (contacted him a couple weeks ago). I was glad to have him on the same levels since we (KCRG and KWWL) are about the same frequency and location. When viewers say they get one of us but not the other, now things should be equal as far as overdrive on the tuners, which tends to be the biggest issue. Lots of people with antennas with noisy or way to powerful amplifiers built in on them!

Well I'm having a problem with Channel 9 and was wondering if anyone else is having similar issues.

I have 3 OTA TVs connected and one of my TVs (not frequently used) has always had issues with the 9 subchannels. They're all displayed squished in 4:3 even though they're supposed to be widescreen.

This only happens on 9.2 and now 9.3 the primary channel 9.1 displays properly. If I hook this same TV to ImOn's ClearQAM the 9.2 and 9.3 channels display properly. It's only OTA.

Sadly there is no way to tell my TV to "stretch" the picture back out to 16:9.

Anyone else have any similar trouble?

Well I'm having a problem with Channel 9 and was wondering if anyone else is having similar issues.

I have 3 OTA TVs connected and one of my TVs (not frequently used) has always had issues with the 9 subchannels. They're all displayed squished in 4:3 even though they're supposed to be widescreen.

This only happens on 9.2 and now 9.3 the primary channel 9.1 displays properly. If I hook this same TV to ImOn's ClearQAM the 9.2 and 9.3 channels display properly. It's only OTA.

Sadly there is no way to tell my TV to "stretch" the picture back out to 16:9.

Anyone else have any similar trouble?

Looking at both sub-channels OTA on my two TVs, both my Sony and Samsung show 480i, 16x9 in the info bar. On my Sony, I have no option to change the picture size, though it displays correctly at 16x9 (on 9.1, I have the options of "Wide", "Zoom", etc). On the Samsung, the only picture size options I have are 16x9 and 4x3, (which actually changes the setting for all 480i content on the TV).

What brand/models do you have that work, and which doesn't?

A crawl on KCRG right now says that 9.2 is now Eastern Iowa's My Network TV affiliate. I see nothing about this on their website at this time.

Another observation..... Picked up sub channel 7-99 the other night when I used my portable. It was audio only, but I didn't listen long enough to figure out what the source was.

A crawl on KCRG right now says that 9.2 is now Eastern Iowa's My Network TV affiliate. I see nothing about this on their website at this time.

Looks like they're running it from 12:05-2:05 a.m.

Looking at both sub-channels OTA on my two TVs, both my Sony and Samsung show 480i, 16x9 in the info bar. On my Sony, I have no option to change the picture size, though it displays correctly at 16x9 (on 9.1, I have the options of "Wide", "Zoom", etc). On the Samsung, the only picture size options I have are 16x9 and 4x3, (which actually changes the setting for all 480i content on the TV).

What brand/models do you have that work, and which doesn't?

I have 4 TVs. Only one has an issue and it is a 32" Westinghouse refurbished 720p HDTV. I can get the model number later if it makes a difference.

This afternoon KGAN posted on Twitter that they have a new Master Control and that we should expect to see more HD programming. I wonder if the local news or other local programming will be HD anytime soon.

KGAN_CBS2KGAN CBS 2
Thanks to hours of hard work by our dedicated employees, we're now able to bring you a clearer picture and even more HD programming.
KGAN_CBS2KGAN CBS 2
Here's a picture of our new "Master Control" system, next to the old one: http://pic.twitter.com/4UWNfay6
https://twitter.com/#!/KGAN_CBS2/status/126790847651000320/photo/1/large

KGAN_CBS2KGAN CBS 2
Be sure to tune in to the CBS 2 News at Six -- you'll get the latest news, weather, and a chance to see our enhanced picture quality!

This afternoon KGAN posted on Twitter that they have a new Master Control and that we should expect to see more HD programming. I wonder if the local news or other local programming will be HD anytime soon.



https://twitter.com/#!/KGAN_CBS2/status/126790847651000320/photo/1/large

Syndicated programs will now be in HD. Local HD or wide screen news will come in a few months.

Thanks Jim - it’s great to see Sinclair investing and improving our local stations. Does KFXA get the master control upgrade also? Last night during the top of the 7th inning of World Series Game 2, coverage switched to SD for about 10 minutes just before 9 PM (at least that’s what I saw on ImOn cable). It will be great to reduce or eliminate issues like that going forward.

Thanks Jim - it’s great to see Sinclair investing and improving our local stations. Does KFXA get the master control upgrade also? Last night during the top of the 7th inning of World Series Game 2, coverage switched to SD for about 10 minutes just before 9 PM (at least that’s what I saw on ImOn cable). It will be great to reduce or eliminate issues like that going forward.

Yes it's a dual master control, both are now HD. The SD problem last night was another glitch in the system! Still working out the bugs in a very complicated automation system running on PC's.

So Sinclair has gone HD. Does anyone know how long their current contract with Mediacom is? I imagine they're going to try to extort soak us Mediacom subsribers for a bunch when that contract goes up for renewal...

Here comes yet another bill hike for free OTA TV!

Does anyone know how long their current contract with Mediacom is?Search this topic here with the word "sinclair" and you'll see the answer.

Search this topic here with the word "sinclair" and you'll see the answer.

That's OK I've got better things to do than read 160 pages to find some answer I don't really care about to begin with.

I don't watch Sinclair stations due to their political "leanings" (IE: slightly to the right of Hitler) and I also get my local channels OTA so it really doesn't matter to me. I was simply pointing this out for other Mediacom subscribers as a nice "something to look forward to"

That's OK I've got better things to do than read 160 pages to find some answer I don't really care about to begin with.You don't have to read any of the pages, that's what the search function is for.

I believe Mediacom and Sinclair signed a two-year agreement, back in December 2010.

A couple of new Clear QAM HD additions in Cedar Rapids on Im On.

Reported on their facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ImOnCommunications/posts/10150470445259783?notif_t=feed_comment


Two of the HD manual tune channels have been set - Discovery HD 79-48 and TLC HD is 87-4. We'll let you know the manual tune for Animal Planet HD soon.

So all three newscasts in Des Moines have been HD since April 2011, and all three newscasts in the Quad Cities have been all HD since September 2011.

And the Cedar Rapids market... still just KWWL, who launched all the way back in April 2010.

It looks like $inclair, yes, THAT Sinclair, might even beat KCRG to HD news based on the latest posts. Fascinating.

I realize betting on Sinclair to spend money is never a winning proposition, but who do you think launches a true HD newscast first? KCRG or KGAN? When does CR finally join DSM & the QCA with the big three all broadcasting news in HD?

So all three newscasts in Des Moines have been HD since April 2011, and all three newscasts in the Quad Cities have been all HD since September 2011.

And the Cedar Rapids market... still just KWWL, who launched all the way back in April 2010.

It looks like $inclair, yes, THAT Sinclair, might even beat KCRG to HD news based on the latest posts. Fascinating.

I realize betting on Sinclair to spend money is never a winning proposition, but who do you think launches a true HD newscast first? KCRG or KGAN? When does CR finally join DSM & the QCA with the big three all broadcasting news in HD?

KCRG should beat $inclair, as KCRG actually has most of the equipment necessary to make HD news happen. HD Master Control is only a teeny-tiny piece of the equation to get to local HD news.

I'll just be happy when the local broadcasting/commercials are finally in HD/widescreen, especially the national advertisements that are run during local ad time.

KCRG should beat $inclair, as KCRG actually has most of the equipment necessary to make HD news happen. HD Master Control is only a teeny-tiny piece of the equation to get to local HD news.

I'll just be happy when the local broadcasting/commercials are finally in HD/widescreen, especially the national advertisements that are run during local ad time.

I actually like the "matte" commercial format, makes it easier to see when to stop fast-forwarding. When the picture goes back to full-frame, usually a good time to hit play.

http://www.ddgtv.com/blog/something-new-is-developing-at-kcrg-14/

http://www.ddgtv.com/blog/something-new-is-developing-at-kcrg-14/

No updates there for awhile, and no new set on the news, has this been put on hold again?

They're running new bumpers announcing a "New" KCRG 9 coming soon. I think HD newcasts are just around the corner.

Showtime has a free preview weekend going on through many cable providers. ImOn has eight channels unencrypted and available for viewing without the need for a set top box. Here are the Clear QAM channels I found that should work all weekend.

SHO 2 – 39.19
SHOWTIME HD – 76.4
SHO NEXT – 80.10
SHO WOMEN – 80.12
SHOWTIME – 124.15
SHOWTIME SHOWCASE – 124.17
SHO EXTREME – 124.18
SHO BEYOND – 124.19

No updates there for awhile, and no new set on the news, has this been put on hold again?
It's coming. Here's a post from Devlin Design Group on the progress of installing the new KCRG set: Something is Brewing at KCRG! (http://www.ddgtv.com/blog/something-new-is-developing-at-kcrg-14/)

Link doesn't work.

Hmmm, guess AVS doesn't like bit-ly links. I fixed it.

http://www.ddgtv.com/blog/something-new-is-developing-at-kcrg-14/

Hmmm, guess AVS doesn't like bit-ly links. I fixed it.

http://www.ddgtv.com/blog/something-new-is-developing-at-kcrg-14/

It looks like they have a desk to sit behind, so hopefully their version of "Fresh and New" isn't the same as KGAN and KFXA's "stand in front of a giant green screen that looks like a studio" amateur hour.

FWIW, the last rumor I heard was that they are planning on launching the HD newscast this month. Of course that was what was the news in August, so that might have changed.

It seems that it isn't just a studio camera upgrade, it's everything that goes on air that will be getting updated. (ENG, set, Control Room, etc.)

Has the TX power boost gone into effect yet?

Why would KCRG hide the upgrade? Why not advertise it? It's not like Sinclair is going to one up them at the other stations.

Why would KCRG hide the upgrade? Why not advertise it? It's not like Sinclair is going to one up them at the other stations.

Agreed, there would be no reason to. That coupled with the fact that the updates abruptly stopped on the website previously linked to makes you begin to wonder.

They did post this preview video of a new logo on their Facebook page a few days ago:

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10100437610621770

Agreed, there would be no reason to. That coupled with the fact that the updates abruptly stopped on the website previously linked to makes you begin to wonder.

It is better to underpromise and over-deliver.

Perhaps that's what they're trying to do. Especially with so many moving parts, better to just keep quiet and launch when you're ready than giving out dates or promises.

I've noticed most of the HD launches have been very quiet and soft. Especially because the first few newscasts don't always go smoothly.

KWWL hyped there HD launch.

I remember wwhen my ABC affiliate here in Chicago hyped it up big time. But, they had a big crew on hand to do it, and got it done in one day. They had glitches, they all do. I don't know if they tested it offline, or what. But they did it inbetween newscasts...on a Saturday.

The NBC affiliate went HD on a 1 AM broadcast, normally a rerun! The anchors explained they were living and doing a "test run" of their new HD equipment. You could tell they were tired! The next night, they went back to SD. I think they did thiss a few nights in a row, so it was a long week for them! Finally, the week after, after evaluating the glitches and correcting them, they went live. It was almost flawless. One flaw was that it was TOO good: they had no skin filters on the cameras, so every facial blemish could now be seen. And unfortunately, there was a lot to be seen! A few months later, I believe, they put on a mild filter. But the first night, I remember seeing a staffer's desk in the newsroom with a photo of presumably him and his wife hugging each other. But I don't think they had the staffing that ABC does. So they definitely did it right. One station went HD, and didn't announce it for 4 days. They were "testing new equipment", and all of a sudden, after it was obvious they were having no major issues, they announced that "tonight, we'll officially be in HD!".

I offer this advice: if you know a station is really close to going HD, and gives a "hard launch" date, watch for tests the week or two before. Maybe a 1 AM rerun is live, and HD. Or a 5 PM, or on their least-watched newscast on a Saturday night.

KWWL hyped there HD launch.

They *teased* their launch and still didn't give out hard dates until they were really really close.

And they were obviously ready because their first few newscasts were very good. Not perfect, but quite good.

KCRG is teasing their launch now too.

I'm going to predict that we'll see the "New Nine" sometime over this weekend. They were off air overnight, and having problems today. The Facebook page says they are upgrading equipment today and we'll like the changes.

I'm going to predict that we'll see the "New Nine" sometime over this weekend. They were off air overnight, and having problems today. The Facebook page says they are upgrading equipment today and we'll like the changes.

Heh. They just accidentally aired about 5 seconds worth of HD local news between two commercials about 60 seconds ago, in the middle of Shark Tank. It was just before a Toyota commercial at 7:42, for anyone with a DVR that wants to see it.

Sounds like a safe prediction, UHF. :)

Yup, they're going live tomorrow. They just signed off tonight's news by saying that it's hard to say goodnight, and "goodbye, old friend", but "you'll find out why tomorrow."

Should be interesting, that's for sure.

Looks like Saturday will be the launch.

edit: I type too slow ;)

KCRG's HD is up & running, even with local video in HD.

The first two newscasts today were great (6 and 10). Congrats to the engineers and everyone else who made it happen. I particularly liked seeing local sports and other news footage in HD. The framed weather wall looks faded and doesn’t made the graphics pop – and the camera wasn’t square or centered with the frame for either newscast. Probably need to tone down some the amount of moving graphics behind the anchor.

Looking forward to having live remotes in HD at some point – the remote at 6 of Addison Speck from Iowa City looked dull after most everything else was HD. Nice to see that they talked about the new set and HD but didn’t try to change their format or too many other things.

Defnitely need some work on lighting. Thw weather wall looked washed out by the lighting, and Sabel needed a bit more spot lighting.

Nice start!

Can anbody reach http://www.cbs.com ? Acts like it's been down this am.

Defnitely need some work on lighting. Thw weather wall looked washed out by the lighting, and Sabel needed a bit more spot lighting.

Nice start!

Looks pretty good so far. On the tour they're saying that the "interactive weather wall" is the only one of its type in the US and one of only three in the world.

I'd agree that some of the lighting needs to be adjusted.

The background graphics running on the 244" inch screen behind the anchor desk look a little "busy", especially when they don't have any other graphics up. probably just take some getting used to.

Looks pretty good so far. On the tour they're saying that the "interactive weather wall" is the only one of its type in the US and one of only three in the world.

Yea, I saw that. It will be a shame if they have something that unique and it continues to looked washed out.

With HD, folks want crisp, clear, snappy graphics and pointing to a giant video screen with poor lighting to boot is going to be a huge disappointment.

Speaking of lighting, the 7AM and 8 AM re-broadcasts of the morning news this morning on 9.2 were very dark. Looking at the 9 AM re-broadcast, it looks like they changed something in the settings and have the brightness turned up where it needs to be.

And, even though it's being broadcast in anamorphic 480i, you can still tell that there was an upgrade to the system, because it still looks pretty darn good on 9.2.

Yea, I saw that. It will be a shame if they have something that unique and it continues to looked washed out.

With HD, folks want crisp, clear, snappy graphics and pointing to a giant video screen with poor lighting to boot is going to be a huge disappointment.

I was having a very hard time actually reading the traffic condition maps today thankfully they cut to full screen instead of camera pointed at the board. That board is going to take some getting used to.

Saw a live report through what appeared to be skype, there was no audio, but the video was widescreen and kind-of HD, although very low bandwidth. Interesting but I hope they get a way to get true 720p back to the studio.

Interesting but I hope they get a way to get true 720p back to the studio.
I read on the KCRG site that they will be using portable backpack units – probably LiveU (http://liveu.com) or something similar. LiveU can aggregate up to 14 3G/4G cellular channels and deliver up to 1080i. I saw some streaming video from CES a couple weeks ago and it was impressive. The days are numbered where we’ll see the old microwave vans with tall masts.

The live feed of Jill Kasparie this morning between 6-7 AM from the old courthouse looked very good and appeared to be HD or at least something much better than SD.

Crazy very very low freq bass last night on KCRG 9.1 at a low level when I sat near my subwoofer.

My SVS PC-Ultra subwoofer hardly gets a break except for a few of the commercials.

Someone else suggested that the poor lighting might be a requirement to prevent glare on the giant Telestrainer. It makes sense that if you light the anchors faces, that light is going to reflect off the display behind them.

Tricky, tricky. Chromakey might have had more benefits. :(

It's my understanding that the lighting in the new studio is 90-100% LED, and the shuttering system for LED studio lights is quite a bit different than on PAR cans, which makes it a little harder to keep the light where you want it to be.

The chromakey that KCRG was using looked pretty horrible towards the end of their SD period, honestly. I don't know if the equipment was out of alignment or what was going on, but there was tons of halo-ing in the hair area, and even shadow problems with the meteorologists.

I think the most interesting part of the switch to the interactive wall is the fact that I notice them actually looking at the wall when they're doing the weather, instead of looking at the monitors to the sides to see what they're pointing at. I'm sure it's taken some getting used to for everyone involved.

NO way would you ever find me on top of a 1768' tower. See it in HD, via helmetcam. 1768' feet straight up ... wait for the cartoon introduction

to finish, then hold on to your seat.

http://edge.liveleak.com/80281E/u/u/ll2_player_files/mp55/player.swf?config=http://www.liveleak.com/player?a=config%26item_token=07b_1284580365%26embed=1

According to Facebook, KWWL turned off their transmitter 3/14 at 5pm for a few minutes to remove an "experimental piece of equipment"... any idea what that was about?

My DirecTV receiver says KGAN is broadcasting in 720p. When I switch to KWWL, it switches to 1080i, and when I change back to KGAN it goes back to 720p. I thought CBS stations broadcast in 1080i. I am guessing this has something to do with the fact that KGAN and KFXA are broadcast out of the same facility. Any ideas?

KGAN is a Sinclair-owned affiliate, not a CBS O&O. KGAN is 720P as is sister station KFXA.

My DirecTV receiver says KGAN is broadcasting in 720p. When I switch to KWWL, it switches to 1080i, and when I change back to KGAN it goes back to 720p. I thought CBS stations broadcast in 1080i. I am guessing this has something to do with the fact that KGAN and KFXA are broadcast out of the same facility. Any ideas?

That's correct. We're converting the 1080 to 720. Both stations run off the same server so that works better. News in 16x9 starts today.

KGAN is a Sinclair-owned affiliate, not a CBS O&O. KGAN is 720P as is sister station KFXA.

I understand the ownership of KGAN and KFXA, but CBS network programming is broadcast in 1080i, so the overwhelming majority of CBS affiliates broadcast in 1080i too.

However, given the ownership structure and technical setup of KGAN and KFXA, and given that FOX network programming broadcasts in 720p, I can understand why it's easier to just run both in 720p. Given Mr. Wright's response, it's clear they have decided to do exactly that.

Hey, anyone know how Imon treats CCI (Copy Control Information) for CableCard? I'm currently a Dish sub, but Imon is deploying (fiber I think) to my neighborhood, and I'm debating if I want to switch when the light it up.

Right now I use SageTV as my DVR and an R5000/HD PVR/Colossus to record off Dish. I know Imon has a lot of HD channels in clear, but most of their other channels are not clear, so I'm curious if they're flagged Copy Freely, if I could get a CableCard tuner and continue using SageTV, or if I'd have to switch to Windows Media Center.

Of course the other thing I have to weight is if it's worth giving up BBC America HD or not. Oh and the price, it looks like Imon would actually be more expensive than my current Dish Gold HD/AT250 whatever + Centurylink 12Mbps.

Your best bet will be to hit up their Facebook and see if you can get in contact with an engineer there. I doubt anyone here can answer those questions.

Most of ImOn channels are not encrypted, not sure where you got that information, they have few encrypted QAM channels. With the exception of HBO and Showtime and some NFL network all their other HD channels are in the clear. And all their standard def is supposed to be NTSC not QAM so you're good there as well. I really can't imagine why anyone would need CableCard with ImOn.

I don't get video services from ImOn so I am going from memory, and their SD content doesn't interest me (I don't watch SD programs) so that may be incorrect.

Final edit: unless ImOn is trying something completely new their network is HFC so it is Coax network, although they're a true 1GHz system (Mediacom is 800MHz) which means they use all RG-6QS (Quad Shield) coax cable. It's thicker than regular RG-6. But it's only fiber to the node, same as Mediacom.

First - hi, all. I'll admit - I haven't been around here for a long time - everything has been working fine, great pictures, nothing to complain about (except losing the penultimate episode of "Parks and Rec" just to watch a storm near the Missouri border. ;)

But now I am having problems - I'm still holding out, using my old Sony DVR - the DHG500. Which, sadly, is a brick without TVGIOS to give it program data and TIME. (btw, great design choice, there. :rolleyes:) I had been using IPTV, but the Sony reports it isn't receiving any data packets. Previously I'd also had luck with Channel 3 in Mason City, but that doesn't seem to work either.

I know - its almost a dead issue around here, but does anyone know of a station broadcasting TVGIOS ota? I still have my rotor-ized antenna on a tower, I can pickup quite a few stations; if you can point me to a station still broadcasting TVGIOS data, I'll just point at it and be good to go.

Thanks. And again, good to see the familiar names after all this time. :)

I know - its almost a dead issue around here, but does anyone know of a station broadcasting TVGIOS ota?

Have you checked the RabbitEars.info (http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=tvgos) site?

Have you checked the RabbitEars.info (http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=tvgos) site?

Yes - thanks. I had, your link is more recent than the one I checked, but still - yes. I had been using KRIN - but for the last two days I haven't received any packets from them - that's why I was wondering if their TVGIOS was broken, or if they'd stopped; and - if so - if there were any other alternates.

OH - yes indeed - your link IS more current. According to that, KIMT still IS broadcasting TVGIOS. Looks like its time for a turn to the north.

Thanks.

(and if my friend who knows of IPTV is still around, maybe he can chime in if they're still indeed broadcasting as the list says they are.)

Well - turned my antenna, now pointing to KIMT; the only non PBS TVGIOS station I can get. Left the unit pointed that way, turned off, but on that channel, all nite.

No listings this morning, and clock was still wrong. Doesn't look good. I suppose it's too much to ask for KGAN to do TVGIOS.

Watching primetime scripted programming that's DVR'd on Mediacom in Iowa City. Never had this problem until about a month ago. It doesn't take too much motion to start the macro blocking either. Any body else notice this dvr'd of watching live?

Same issue with KCRG here in Cedar Rapids, getting signal OTA 9.1 -- no signal strength issues I have 99% quality. Was going to watch a show called "The Chew" today, and it was unwatchable due to macroblocking every time there was motion.

Some commercials have the trouble, others don't. The local news is very bad, all the graphical swooshes look like YouTube low quality videos.

There were a couple of commericals on the chew today that showed macroblocking, while I was watching "live", so I know it's not a problem with my DVR.

Anyone else having problems with KCRG? I had a very good signal 3 days ago, but dropped down to 1 red the last 2 days and I can't figure out why. Nothing in my system has changed and all of my other stations are just as good as they always have been.

Anyone else having problems with KCRG? I had a very good signal 3 days ago, but dropped down to 1 red the last 2 days and I can't figure out why. Nothing in my system has changed and all of my other stations are just as good as they always have been.

No change in signal quality or strength on 9 for me from SW Cedar Rapids.

No change in signal quality or strength on 9 for me from SW Cedar Rapids.

Thanks, I guess I'll have to start looking at my setup. Seems strange that only 9 was effected while 7 and others are still working fine and are much further away.

KCRG-DT was breaking up during the first ten or so minutes of the 10 o'clock news tonight live over MediaCom Cable, so it might not be a home antenna setup problem.

And also during the 10:40-10:43 timeframe during 2 1/2 Men. OTA, I wasn't having a single issue.